Diocese to Hold Symposium on Closed Churches
On Tuesday, the Diocese of Buffalo will hold a symposium to consider reuse of the churches that have been and are being closed through the “Journey of Faith and Grace” process. The symposium will be held from 8:30AM to 12:30PM, according to diocesan spokesman Kevin Keenan.
As quoted in Sunday’s Buffalo News, Keenan also said that “Bishop Edward U. Kmiec is particularly interested in exploring how nonprofit agencies could redevelop [these] facilities to meet human services needs in the community,” including impoverished areas of Buffalo, Lackawanna and Niagara Falls.
As reported in the Buffalo News, representatives from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal will be on hand to explain possible federal and state funding for adaptive reuse projects. There will also be discussion of state and federal historic preservation tax credits.
It is not certain whether this consideration of historic preservation tax credits—which requires historic designation—represents a shift in policy for the diocese, which has traditionally, and even quite recently, fought vigorously against historic designations of diocesan churches.
As reported in the Buffalo News, the diocese has sold about a quarter of the 77 worship sites that have been closed, or are slated to close, since the “Journey of Faith and Grace” process began in 2005. Sales of churches so far have generated more than $2 million for remaining Catholic parishes, with sale prices ranging from a low of $12,000 to $300,000 (for the former Immaculate Conception Church on Edward Street in Allentown). But as the News reported yesterday, Immaculate Conception (entry image) remains vacant and is now back on the market.
St. Barbara’s Church in Lackawanna, where the symposium will be held (at the parish center behind the church), was closed by the diocese in January of this year. The church’s yellow brick tower has been a landmark on Ridge Road in Lackawanna since 1931. According to the Polish Genealogical Society’s listing of Polish parishes in western New York, after the church’s consecration, “a viable Polish shopping and professional strip grew up” around it. It is currently listed for sale through Pyramid Brokerage for $700,000, as “office space.” Last year, when it became official that the diocese would be closing St. Barbara’s, Lackawanna Mayor Norman Polanski floated the idea of reusing the church as a new city hall.
"The building is historic," Polanski told WGRZ last year. "It's got striking features. I think it would be a proud addition to the City of Lackawanna as a city hall."
Polanski also told WGRZ that the current city hall, just a few blocks from St. Barbara’s, is outdated and inefficient. A call to the mayor’s office today, however, revealed that proposal may no longer be under consideration.
This symposium is, in part, an outgrowth of the work of the Parish Property Redevelopment Committee, which has been working since this spring to advise Bishop Kmiec on future uses for parish properties that will no longer be used as a result of mergers. The committee includes architects, engineers, housing advocates, urban planners and developers, as reported by Buffalo Rising and the Buffalo News in May.
Time: 8:30AM to 12:30PM, Tuesday, November 18
Location:
Saint Barbara's Church Parish Center
Near Caldwell Place and Center Street (behind St. Barbara’s Church, at 539 Ridge Road, Lackawanna, NY 14218
Entry image: Immaculate Conception Church (closed, for sale) on Edward Street, by Karl Josker
Second image: St. Barbara’s Church and Parish Center, Lackawanna
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Comment Options
Colin
What are the odds that the symposium comes up with a solution to this church-created problem that involves any additional burden on the diocese? I'll be stunned if this is about anything other than making it easier for the diocese to pass the buck.
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sonyactivision
Get those state and federal dollars and turn these churches into community centers. Develop their individual missions as you go. End of story.
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heathersmiles
Along the lines with what we discussed in Steel's post.
We could use the funding from the State and HUD to turn the churches into communal living centers for the at-risk poor of the city. Instead of distributing the families in section 8 housing and projects, we could create the Village that is required to raise a child. Stick with me here:
We divide areas of the church and rectory into basic efficiency apartments for families, the size of the apartment is based on the size of the family. The living area includes space for beds and closets, some space for privacy, and a kitchenette (refrigerator, microwave, food pantry). The layout is similar to a shelter, but with more permanent facilities and established long-term care planning for the residents. We would staff each church with a full time social worker, licensed daycare providers, tutors or teachers, life-skills counselors for the adults, and a full compliment of volunteers from various organizations to assist.
This would centralize all support in one location, and would ensure that every child has the access to education and role models that are lacking in the existing arrangement (per previous comments from BRL, Steel, and others). We could take advantage of certain economies of scale under this arrangement that do not exist currently.
I believe that there would be a cost savings for the taxpayer, there would be accountability and opportunity for the adults, and we could assure that no child is left behind in the mix. We could leverage shared resources such as bikes (donated from Buffalo Blue Bikes or other), shared cars (similar to Zipcar format), and shared living arrangements (cooking for several families, sharing shopping instead of food stamps, etc) to ensure that the entire community is healthier.
As the family becomes more self-sufficient, they would leave the old church and move into houses in the surrounding neighborhood. Part of this plan would be to provide sweat equity back to the community, in terms of time at the church, the neighboring gardens and even pocket parks for the children. We would focus on building up housing between the former churches and the neighborhood schools, to create viable neighborhoods again.
Community policing will keep the area safe and will ensure that any person who violates the social contract or breaks the law will be brought to trial in front of their peers, and will receive fair and just punishment to suit the crime. This may help to reduce incarceration rates for minority or poor communities.
I could go on...
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BuffaloBloviator
I am convinced that if parishioners in the suburbs were informed about how their own ancestors sacrificed to build these masterpieces, they would insist on adopting a church, commuting at least every other Sunday, and on carrying the torch.
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girlinthebuff
Colin - blame the churches all you want, but this isn't their fault. The Diocese of Buffalo isn't responsible for the mass exodus to the suburbs and out of WNY. At one point, every single one of these parishes was thriving.
Sony - Ha! The fed is too busy cleaning up the messes made by the banks and the auto industry. Where do you think that money is going to come from? And the state is broke, so you're batting 0 for 2. How about the county?
Heather - This is the best idea yet. . .it's similar to the services Gerard Place provides. Maybe if they continue to be successful at their Delavan area location, they'd be willing to expand services.
BuffaloBlov - It's a nice idea, and I truly wish I had that optimism, but do you really think that a bunch of people who think that McMansions are the epitome of living are going to appreciate the architecture and sweat that went into these buildings. Have you seen the McChurches they think are beautiful?! (see St. Gregs - it's the Diocese equivalent to the City Court building)
Basically, the only sustainable option is to sell these buildings to a for profit entity for a rework. Otherwise, there is no way to maintain the building after the cost of heating, repairs, upkeep. NFPs don't have the funding, especially now. So, let's push for concert venues, apartments (see Bryant Parish Condos), stores, etc. because it would suck to have these sold now and ultimately end up abandoned in a few years with more problems than they already have.
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whynot
Heather - please go on... scary stuff.
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RaChaCha
Amen, BB - from your mouth (keyboard?) to God's (and the Bishop's) ears.
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whynot
Buffalo Bloviator - Many of the suburban churches are also experiencing a decline in attendance and number of parishioners. Maybe there is a bigger issue than just suburban migration.
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mbkijb
What do I think? I think Heather should come live on this block, where the property values are at risk everyday, and now at risk due to this. And as far as her using the term "we", exactly who is she including in this?? I have no interest in this.... The city hall was the best idea yet, with the adjacent hall as a citizen center. It is just such a shame that Mr. Polanski could not secure the funding needed to create the idea. I personally don't want fly by night families to come here, unless, of course, there is researched proof that each one of these individual families want to be helped. Center Street already breeds all types of undesirables, and now you want to put an anchor down here?? I guess it is the "Not in my backyard" syndrome. You had better have the money for the extra police force we will need for these unfortunates. Put it in your back yard. There are better uses for a majestic building like that...... How about an emergency health center or specialization center? I know that Mercy just announced that they are building a new emergency room, and they needed to, but how about an offshoot center of some kind? Or how about more senior living quarters??? Or a business, like a large law or medical firm?? Or a recording studio or arts center-something that Buffalo and the surrounding areas could benefit from......Or headquarters for hospice of something... I know this sounds selfish, but I don't believe a hasty decision will be good for this area and I don't think filling this area with a a bunch of desperate temporary families will be the answer. The only one who even came close was Norm Polanski, sony and whynot... It must be something that will enhance this part of Lackawanna, and I don't think sub housing is the right way to go. One of the windows in the church was paid for by my grandparents, so I understand BB's feelings in the blood, sweat, and tears category.....I will also take the decision very personally- Center Street needs something to lift it up, not add to the "ghetto" that it has already become.
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mbkijb
What do I think? I think Heather should come live on this block, where the property values are at risk everyday, and now at risk due to this. The city hall was the best idea yet, with the adjacent hall as a citizen center. It is just such a shame that Mr. Polanski could not secure the funding needed to create the idea. I personally don't want fly by night families to come here, unless, of course, there is researched proof that each one of these individual families want to be helped. Center Street already breeds all types of undesirables, and now you want to put an anchor down here?? I guess it is the "Not in my backyard" syndrome. You had better have the money for the extra police force we will need for these unfortunates. Put it in your back yard. There are better uses for a majestic building like that...... How about an emergency health center or specialization center? I know that Mercy just announced that they are building a new emergency room, and they needed to, but how about an offshoot center of some kind? Or how about more senior living quarters??? Or a business, like a large law or medical firm?? Or a recording studio or arts center-something that Buffalo and the surrounding areas could benefit from......Or headquarters for hospice of something... I know this sounds selfish, but I don't believe a hasty decision will be good for this area and I don't think filling this area with a a bunch of desperate temporary families will be the answer. The only one who even came close was Norm Polanski, sony and whynot... It must be something that will enhance this part of Lackawanna, and I don't think sub housing is the right way to go. One of the windows in the church was paid for by my grandparents, so I understand BB's feelings in the blood, sweat, and tears category.....I will also take the decision very personally- Center Street needs something to lift it up, not add to the "ghetto" that it has already become.
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